Built for breakthrough

At Oshkosh, we do more than build machines—we engineer vehicles and equipment that move industries forward. Each of our products and technologies is designed with users in mind, from the four-wheel drive system patented in 1917 to the ideas we’ll give life to tomorrow. And with a family of brands that share their latest advances across the business, we can promise each product will be designed better than the last.

Extended reach & safer access

Ladders have limits. At Oshkosh, we’ve spent decades working to challenge the limits of vertical reach, building access equipment that takes workers to new heights and aerial systems that allow firefighters to reach places they never could before.

Ascendant® Class of Aerials

Developed as part of a collaborative effort across Oshkosh Corporation, the Pierce Ascendant® Class of Aerials leads the industry with single-axle configurations for the 107' heavy-duty ladder and 110' heavy-duty platform. The innovation continues with the 100' heavy-duty aerial tower, which has an overall length of only 41' 3". Each product provides maneuverability, reach and drivability unmatched in the industry. Leveraging sophisticated engineering development approaches and materials science expertise, our aerials boast up to a 1,000-pound rated tip load capacity in some configurations and can be deployed in less than 30 seconds—allowing firefighters to safely reach new heights in record time.

Pierce Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Ladder

This vehicle has redefined the single rear axle aerial market, granting firefighters unprecedented reach without sacrificing water capacity, performance or safety. The design of the ladder and other components allows for a significantly lighter vehicle in comparison to other aerial ladder systems, such as the 105’ tandem axle, improving stopping distance and reducing lifecycle and maintenance costs. It also clears the way for departments to better meet weight loading limits in weight restrictive states to utilize an Ascendant system.

A culture of collaboration

Before Ascendant, most single rear axle quint aerial ladders couldn’t reach higher than 78 feet and had a limited rated tip load. Our global product development team pioneered a new way to challenge those limits. Our Pierce team combined material science breakthroughs with advanced engineering processes developed by Oshkosh to develop a new aerial ladder system and other revolutionary components. Those same innovations are also used to extend the reach and safety of JLG equipment, including the 1500 AJP and the 1850 SJ, the world’s tallest self-propelled articulated and straight aerial work platforms.

Higher performance, lower environmental impact

The days of sacrificing performance for environmental efficiency are over. At Oshkosh, we’re integrating hybrid and electrification technologies into our powertrain systems, maximizing power and durability while minimizing environmental impact.

ProPulse® Diesel Electric System

Used in vehicles across our product line, this heavy-hybrid electric drive system dramatically improves fuel economy, reduces emissions and improves life cycle costs. Featuring a unique, modular series-hybrid arrangement to simplify the transmission of power to the wheels, the battery-free ProPulse® system does double duty as an on-board alternating current power generation system, capable of exporting enough energy to power a forward operating base or a hospital.

CNG systems reduce emissions

McNeilus is a leader in developing cleaner, more sustainable options for our concrete mixers and refuse/recycling trucks. For example, we provide compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle options that produce approximately 20% less greenhouse gas emissions and reduce emissions that cause localized air pollution by more than 60%—including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

Unmatched off-road mobility

Not all roads are graded and paved. We’re exploring new ways to advance vehicle mobility in extreme and rugged environments, designing and building systems that enable safe off-road travel at mission critical speeds.

TAK-4® family of independent suspensions

Initially developed by Oshkosh, this independent suspension system has evolved into the gold standard of mobility for heavy-duty vehicles, equipment and fire apparatus. The TAK-4® and TAK-4iTM systems increase vehicle mobility, off-road speed and load-carrying capacity, improving ride quality while lowering life-cycle costs. The independent suspension technology is featured in Oshkosh Defense, Pierce and Oshkosh Airport vehicles around the world, helping warfighters, firefighters and other critical personnel overcome daunting terrain at high speeds.

Oshkosh JLTV

The U.S. Army and Marine Corps’ newest light tactical vehicle, the JLTV, features an extreme duty drivetrain, the latest version of the TAK-4 family, the TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system and allows warfighters to operate away from predictable and often dangerous routes. The TAK-4i allows for 20 inches of wheel travel, and in the JLTV, off-road speeds more than 70 percent faster than the next most capable tactical vehicle in the U.S. military today.

Racing the Baja 1000

Military vehicles face uncertainty at every moment, and the Oshkosh JLTV is no exception. In an effort to test the vehicle in extreme conditions similar to those found in a wide range of combat theaters, we raced our LCV (hybrid predecessor of the JLTV) in the 2010 Baja 1000, a 1,061-mile race. The LCV accomplished what nearly 40 percent of racers failed to do—complete the challenging course. In doing so, we proved the performance of the TAK-4i system and battled our way back into the competition for the U.S. Military’s JLTV contract.

Advanced telematics systems

Oshkosh telematics technology grants customers access to real-time insights and tools they need to keep their equipment operating efficiently. By enabling and analyzing digital communications to and from vehicles, we’re able to provide customers with improved operational interfaces, as well as maintenance reminders, utilization tracking and fleet monitoring systems.

ClearSky telematics

Telematics technology is an essential element of vehicles across the Oshkosh portfolio. Available in both factory-installed and retrofitted vehicles and equipment, the ClearSky telematics system collects and processes raw data from connected products around the world, providing actionable information customers can use to maintain fleet health, boost utilization and ensure equipment security.

McNeilus® FLEX Controls™ and CODE™ Controls

McNeilus® FLEX Controls™ and CODE™ Controls systems for concrete placement and refuse collection vehicles put diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities at the operator’s fingertips. They allow unprecedented control across a fleet of vehicles for consistent operation. The in-cab display offers up-to-date insights around vehicle performance, including maintenance reminders, advanced control functions and a series of customization tools that allow operators to address the needs of the job.

Three-dimensional sensing systems

Our vehicles are designed to help users overcome the toughest, most extreme environments. Their autonomous counterparts will be no different. We’re using systems like LIDAR, RADAR, GPS and infrared cameras to develop the vision systems needed to master 3D autonomy, complemented by advanced communication suites and onboard terrain mapping systems capable of tackling evolving scenarios and unpredictable terrain.

The DARPA Grand Challenge

The most effective way to test our autonomous technologies is to challenge them in the field. That’s why we entered our TerraMax® autonomous truck into DARPA’s Grand Challenge, a 132-mile desert course designed to test the limits of autonomous technology. One of only five entrants to complete the challenging course, TerraMax provided invaluable experience and knowledge regarding autonomous operations in unpredictable terrain, setting the stage for future advances in 3D autonomy and driverless military solutions.